Page 3 of Hard as Steel

Chapter Two

Steel noticed the expensive watch and no-label clothing that only the wealthiest of people could afford. He had come from small-town upper class. In other words, his dad made six figures while everyone else barely clawed their way above five. Since coming out west, between California and Seattle, he had seen money on two legs he hadn’t known existed. This man was one of those men. He had the lightest blue eyes Steel had ever seen and the air of a man who knew his worth. Krystof was also the most beautiful man Steel had ever set eyes on. Not that he had dared set eyes on too many men. Where he came from, gay was something they beat out of you. God knew his dad had tried.

Under the guise of sizing him up, Steel’s gaze swept the man’s body. “You look like a man in need of protection.”

A wicked smile spread across Krystof’s lips, stealing the breath from Steel’s chest. “Are you offering?”

Steel’s every atom was alive and gravitating toward this absolute work of art. Everything about him was stimulating and made it hard to think. “Maybe I am.” Steel dug a business card from his pocket. They were brand new. The ink had barely dried on them. In fact, he was here trying to drum up new clients. “I own a personal security company. My guys are some of the best bodyguards in the business.” Technically, he only had one employee. His best friend from high school. Krystof didn’t need to know that.

If Steel wasn’t mistaken, a hint of disappointment flashed in Krystof’s eyes. “I see.”

Steel’s heart rate kicked up. He couldn’t let Krystof walk away from him thinking this was a sales pitch. “You could use that card for other things.”

Krystof’s mouth lifted in one corner. “I suppose I could keep your business in mind.”

Steel licked his lips in a sudden wave of nerves. He had never hit on another man before. Steel knew he would hate himself forever if he didn’t try. “You could do that, or you could use it to call me sometime.”

Kristof’s beautiful gaze dropped to Steel’s mouth before moving back to hold his stare. “I could do that.”

Holy shit. They were actually flirting. He felt a sudden need to wipe his sweaty palms on his jeans. Steel wanted to keep going, but he was in uncharted waters.

The sexiest chuckle Steel had ever heard fell from Krystof’s perfect lips. “The man jumps in front of gun to save me and blushes at giving me his phone number. Interesting.”

Oh God. Had he blushed? He was mortified.

“Mr. Svoboda, we still have a few questions for you.”

Krystof’s gaze flickered toward the cop who interrupted them before returning to Steel. “Do you have another of those cards?”

“Yes.” Why was his mouth so dry?

“Good. You’ll need it to take down my number.”

Steel scrambled to get what he needed. No way would he miss this chance.

Krystof pulled a pen from the inner pocket of his jacket. He spoke as he wrote. “I’ll wait for you to call me. You seem a little… unsure,” Krystof finished, as if finding the safest word he could think to use. He passed the card back to Steel. “The ball’s in your court.”

He walked away, and Steel enjoyed every second of the show. Damn, he even moved elegantly.

Steel pulled out his phone and dialed the number. He watched Krystof holding up one finger, pausing his conversation. He pulled out his phone.

“Hello?”

“I called first.” Steel couldn’t stop smiling as Krystof’s head whipped his way.

“Bold move. Do you know where Grant’s is on the south side?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll meet you there at seven tomorrow.”

Steel watched Krystof disconnect the call and put his phone away. He didn’t look Steel’s way again. Steel couldn’t stop smiling like a fool. Truthfully, he had no idea where Grant’s was or even what it was. That didn’t matter. He would be there. Steel had gotten to beat up a guy and got a date out of it. He’d had a damn good night.

Music drifted outside. Kuba spoke. Krystof didn’t hear a word. His gaze refused to move from holding Steel’s stare. It was the night they met all over again. Steel also didn’t look away. His refusal likely had more to do with pride. He challenged Krystof. Steel silently dared him to back down. Never. When it came to Steel, Krystof wouldn’t let go until the final breath left his body. Wanted or not, Steel was and had always been the other half of him. He had lived his entire life, bleeding out and missing a chunk of himself. That invisible limb was Steel. Only God knew his silent suffering. The sacrifices he would make again if given the same choices. Reality had always been bigger than him. Steel might be his soulmate, but Krystof hadn’t been destined for romantic happiness. People like him weren’t allowed love. Despite Krystof being free now, that changed nothing. Steel was done with him. The hatred in Steel’s eyes, as beautiful as they were, never dimmed.

He ended up being the one who looked away after all. He had earned that loathing. Krystof would carry that burden with the dignity Steel deserved. His broken heart was his penance for the beautiful love Krystof had destroyed.

“You two should dance. That seems appropriate.” Kuba’s gaze avoided his and held Steel’s stare. “Please don’t let that piece of shit who gave Diesel nothing but his DNA try to pretend he’s Diesel’s father.” He tossed a quick glance Krystof’s way without actually looking at him before going back to holding Steel’s stare. “Dad would never let that bastard make a scene at our wedding, but I don’t want him put in that position. Not only does Diesel care about you, but you’d really be doing us a solid if you don’t give that fucker a chance to corner Dad during the final few dances. He’s been eyeing him all night like he’s plotting.”